Artificial Intelligence1 min read

I built an AI Tamagotchi before Meta could

By · Via The Verge · Published by Everything Blog

In short

The DIY pendant was constructed for fifty dollars around a 1.75-inch touchscreen Waveshare development kit, operating without integrated cameras or 5G cellular radios. Although direct integration with Meta's Muse AI cloud initially suffered from transcription errors, silent responses, and reading difficulties, the builder overhauled the software using Claude AI. These modifications introduced voice readouts via ElevenLabs, a dedicated conversation history screen, and interactive virtual pet avatars. The updated gadget also gained utility as a pocket watch and a remote phone camera shutter.

Key points

  • Independent makers can construct functional alternatives to corporate hardware prior to s…: Independent makers can construct functional alternatives to corporate hardware prior to scheduled commercial product releases.
  • Meta's open-source developer resources allow external hardware to interface directly with…: Meta's open-source developer resources allow external hardware to interface directly with the company's proprietary artificial intelligence cloud.
  • Third-party coding tools can effectively resolve out-of-the-box software limitations like…: Third-party coding tools can effectively resolve out-of-the-box software limitations like missed audio inputs and missing features.

Sources checked by our analysis pipeline: 1

Mark Zuckerberg’s Meta made AI look so stinking cute by giving it a squishy little face — and this holiday season, he wants to sell you a Muse Charm so you can carry your jolly AI helper around like a Tamagotchi.

I built an AI Tamagotchi before Meta could

We have Muse Charm at home.

I built an AI Tamagotchi before Meta could

We have Muse Charm at home.

But I won’t be buying one, because we have Muse Charm at home. It cost just $50, and I’ve decided the learning experience was worth it.

My version doesn’t sport cameras or a 5G cellular radio, but it really talks to Muse and has cute avatars, too! It doubles as a pocket watch and a remote camera viewfinder, and it can (theoretically) control my smart home.

Or at least it can if you inject a lot of extra vibe code.

Weeks ago, I paid $50 to get a 1.75-inch touchscreen computer pendant drop-shipped from China — specifically the Waveshare ESP32-S3 1.75C. Not only does the push-to-talk AI devkit look a lot…

Artificial Intelligence